Domestic cats and humans have an undeniably unique relationship. The science behind this relationship, and behind our feline friends, can bring a new appreciation to the small, goofy, vicious predator that we’ve come to accept as our companion.
His close companions will remember his charm and wonderful spirit, and all will remember his personal struggles, particularly his diagnosis of and time with ALS. The latter is what distinguished him from most scientists and made him an inspiration to many people across the world, including me.
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Each year around fall, the ever-evolving influenza virus begins its descent, leaving millions of people suffering from its grim symptoms. And even though the effectiveness of the flu shot is not 100%, it is the best shot at protection that we have against the flu.
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Finding food is something that ants have got down to a science. The Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm is meant to explore solutions to problems visually by tracing the possible pathways between a starting point and a destination and finding the shortest pathway as quickly as possible. This algorithm is based on how ants have naturally evolved to track down and demolish any food source within sight.
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Science fiction has the most power to change the world when it gets into the brains of really smart people and rattles around until it becomes reality
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Frivolously prescribing antibiotics, particularly when they’re not needed, provides more opportunities for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to grow and reproduce. While the presence of the antibiotic does not necessarily cause resistance, it kills off and inhibits the growth of bacteria that are sensitive to it. This paves the way for resistant organisms, including disease-causing pathogens, to expand their colonies without opposition.
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Feeling like a fraud, a phenomenon affecting people from all walks of life. In fact, it’s so common that it has its own name, imposter syndrome.
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Just over 12 weeks after a casual comment on Reddit proposed the idea of March for Science, scientists and science supporters marched on April 22, the 47th anniversary of Earth Day. The march eventually became a global phenomenon, held in more than 600 cities on six continents and cheered on by scientists on a seventh, Antarctica.
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The prevalence and rise of anti-vaccine campaigns in Trump era got me thinking about the fraudulent anti-vaccine claims that thrive today, despite the magnificent success of vaccinations against formerly fearsome diseases. I looked at scientific data that unambiguously demonstrates how effective vaccines are at preventing the most devastating diseases. However, the anti-vaccine adversary plays an unfair game and does not follow logic or evidence. As a scientist, I consider it my moral imperative to combat the claims of the anti-vaccine lobby.
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At its core, science isn’t exclusive. Everyone participates, and everyone is a stakeholder. So why do we see such a chasm between scientists and nonscientists presented in the media?
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There have been plenty of moments throughout my first two years as a PhD student when I felt like it took all of my ingenuity, energy, and effort to maintain mediocrity. The very idea of running in place without moving forward forms the basis of a well-known and thoroughly discussed theory in evolutionary biology: the Red Queen hypothesis.
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What does a Trump administration portend? In academia, I worry about two areas: campus climate and science funding.
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I have a confession to make: I’m not an exemplary student. All of us procrastinate to some degree, and we frequently fail in the self-care department while doing so. As an extreme case, I have some insight and useful tips to impart.
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Do you like scary movies? I love them even more than I love free seminar food. And with more than 46 million horror movie tickets sold last year, it’s safe to say that we aren’t the only people in search of a good scare. But why is the spooky so appealing?
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The hyper-specialization of higher education can be daunting for today’s students trying to make important career and life decisions. The specialization you choose will, at its core, become part of your identity. So how do you find your niche?
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It’s an inevitable question at family gatherings, parties --or perhaps worst of all, at a bar. “What do you do?”
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